Elder Michael Stallings: Week 5

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Week 5

Kumusta po kayo!

Time is flying by here. We just got 2 new districts in our zone this past Wednesday. A total of 24 new elders! That is a lot considering our group only had 7. We are no longer the "young" elders. It's fun having our turn to overwhelm the new elders by speaking a ton of Tagalog to them and them having no idea what to say. It reminds me of how far we have come over these couple of weeks. I recognize that it is through the Spirit that we have been able to do so. We are all very close now within our zone. It's great having a lot of brothers (I still love you, Sierra, Lindsey and Kami).

We had a unique experience this past Saturday at the temple. Our zone leader, Elder Smith, is from Milton, Ga. I had met him only a couple times before coming here. His sister and family were in our session because his sister was receiving her endowment and getting married the next day. He received permission to attended the session while his family was there. It was a very special moment for elder Smith and he was very greatful to be able to be there. Seeing their whole family together in the Celestial room made me miss my family so much. Saturdays have turned into our favorite days because of our opportunity to attend the temple. Those days seem to be nothing but positive.

We are able to access LDS.org during our personal study time. My companion played a video that I hadn't seen in a long time and I wanted to encourage you all to watch it again as well. It is the Mormon Messages video of Jeffrey R Holland entitled "Testimony of The Book of Mormon." I love the straightforward and powerful speaking of Elder Holland.

I would also like to share a scripture reference that I have used freguently in teaching our "progressing investigators." Moroni 10:3-5. This has been a great tool in turning our investigators to our Heavenly Father and triggering their desire to know of the truth for themselves.

I am loving this opportunity to serve the Lord more and more each day. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me reach this point again. I love and miss you all!

Mahal ko kayo!
Elder Stallings

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Write to Elder Stallings

CURRENT ADDRESSES

for letters:

Elder Michael David Stallings

Philippines Quezon City Mission

POB 30150

Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0150

These letters go from SLC through the "pouch" to the Philippines. The rules for folding the letters are very precise and are as follows:

Lay the letter blank side down. Fold the bottom of the letter about one-third of the way up and crease. Fold the top of the letter to the bottom of the first fold and crease. Secure the long side with 2 pieces of tape about one inch in from each end, but do not seal the ends. In the top left corner(unfolded side) write your name and complete address. Affix first class postage stamp in top right corner. In the middle write the above address. Paper should be regular staionaryor printer paper. No lightweight notebook paper. Photos may be printed on regular copy paper.

An easier, quicker and FREE way to send him a letter is as follows:

On your computer go to dearelder.com. Go to select a mission and choose Philippines Quezon City. Then click write a letter. Fill in YOUR mail address information. Then select title "Elder" . Then fill in Michael Stallings. Enter your email address below. Then type your letter. Then click send letter. Very easy, free, and the letters are sent every Friday.

Either way, letters take about 2 weeks to get there. Michael would love to hear from his friends

Also...if anyone should choose to send him a package, here is the info:

Send to :

Elder Michael David Stallings

Philippines Quezon City Mission

Ortigas Center, P.O.Box 13873

Emerald Avenue, Pasig City1600

Metro Manila, Philippines

The US Postal Service Global Priority Flat Rate Envelope/ small box is the preferred size of package to use and method of sending. Please DON'T use Fed-X, UPS, DHL, LBC, etc. as the missionary will have to pay a huge fee to retrieve the package on their end. Also, packages with stickers of Christ (especially across the enclosure) are said to be more secure as the Filipino people are superstitious about desecrating His picture and packages are left intact. Packages could take up to a month to receive.